Tracy Morgan wants to make you laugh. Anyone who has seen him on the late-night talk-show circuit knows he’s less interested in hyping a new project than getting to the jokes, making some hilarious or outrageous statement and leaving his host bewildered and helpless. He works with the rhythm of a freight train, and is willing to roll over anything in his path to get to the funny.

That MO has landed him in trouble any number of times, as when his remarks about gays and lesbians at a 2011 Nashville show prompted a backlash, an apology from the comedian, and an episode of “30 Rock” in which his character, Tracy Jordan, stirs up a similar controversy.